Interchangeable Trigger Assembly for Firearms

ABSTRACT

An interchangeable trigger assembly for firearms, including a containment structure which can be inserted in the body of the firearm through an opening; the containment structure includes one or more triggers, one or more firing pins, a firing pin actuation mechanism, a firearm safety catch system, and a means for locking temporarily the containment structure inside the firearm body.

The present invention relates to an interchangeable trigger assembly for firearms, particularly for over and under shotguns.

As is known, the trigger mechanism of a firearm can be provided in the form of a unit which can be extracted from the body of the firearm.

For example, in the field of hunting and target shooting, over and under shotguns use trigger mechanisms, both of the single-trigger type and of the double-trigger type, which are mounted on a support known as trigger plate, which can be applied to the lower part of the action of the shotgun at an adapted opening or gap.

Such an extractable trigger mechanism generally has a frame on which the trigger, the shot selection mechanism, the trigger system composed of suitable levers and hammers, or cocks, with their own springs and suitable to strike the firing pins mounted in the break action, are mounted.

The safety systems of the firearm are also generally mounted in the break action.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,657,567 discloses an extractable trigger mechanism of the type mentioned above.

DE155929 discloses a trigger assembly for firearms.

US2006/0207147 discloses a self-contained triggerplate action for low profile firearms, for competitive shooting.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a new extractable trigger mechanism.

Within the scope of this aim, an object of the invention is to provide an extractable trigger assembly which contains all the elements that are essential for the operation of the firearm.

A further object of the invention is to provide a trigger assembly which can be disassembled and assembled in the firearm extremely rapidly and easily and at the same time in full safety.

A further object is to provide an extractable trigger assembly that allows to vary the functional characteristics of the firearm rapidly and easily and without the intervention of specialized personnel, providing the user with trigger assemblies that have different characteristics and can be applied selectively to the same firearm according to the specific requirements.

The above aim and objects, as well as other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by an interchangeable trigger assembly for firearms, including a containment structure which can be inserted in the body of the firearm through an opening, characterized in that the containment structure includes one or more triggers, one or more firing pins, a mechanism for actuating the one or more firing pins, a firearm safety system, and means for temporarily locking the containment structure within the body of the firearm.

Further characteristics and advantages will become better apparent from the description of preferred but not exclusive embodiments of the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partial side view of an over and under shotgun provided with the interchangeable trigger assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, partially in phantom lines, of the interchangeable trigger assembly;

FIG. 3 is a rear view, partially in phantom lines, of the trigger assembly;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged-scale perspective view of the trigger assembly in the region of the selector;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinally sectional side view, partially in phantom lines, of the trigger assembly in the condition in which the firing pins are cocked and the firearm safety catch is engaged;

FIG. 6 is a view, similar to the preceding one, showing the firearm in the firing position, with the selector in the position for first shot on the lower barrel;

FIG. 7 is a view, similar to the preceding one, showing the assembly in the position for the pre-stroke of the trigger of the first shot;

FIG. 8 is a view of the assembly in the position for triggering the first shot performed on the lower barrel;

FIG. 9 is a view of the assembly in the position in which the lower firing pin has been triggered and the trigger has reached the end of its stroke;

FIG. 10 is a view of the position of engagement for the second shot;

FIG. 11 is a view of the firing mechanism during the pre-stroke for the second shot;

FIG. 12 is a view of the upper firing pin trigger position;

FIG. 13 is a view of the assembly in the position in which the upper firing pin has been triggered and the trigger has reached the end of its stroke;

FIG. 14 is a view of the assembly in the condition in which both firing pins have been triggered, prior to re-cocking them;

FIG. 15 is a view of a first step of the re-cocking of the firing pins by a partial rotation of the handle;

FIG. 16 is a view of the handle fully rotated and of re-cocking at the end of the stroke;

FIG. 17 is a partial perspective view of an over and under shotgun provided with the interchangeable trigger assembly according to a further aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the interchangeable trigger assembly of the preceding figure;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the opposite side of the interchangeable trigger assembly of the preceding figure;

FIG. 20 is a longitudinally sectional side view, partially in phantom lines, of the trigger assembly of the preceding figure, in the condition in which the firing pins are cocked;

FIG. 21 is a side view of the trigger assembly of the preceding figure, longitudinally sectioned across the firing pins;

FIG. 22 is another longitudinally sectional side view of the trigger assembly of the preceding figure;

FIG. 23 is another longitudinally sectional side view of the trigger assembly of the preceding figure.

With reference to the cited figures, the interchangeable trigger assembly, according to the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, comprises a containment structure which is constituted preferably by a casing 2 which can be inserted in the body of the firearm.

In the embodiment illustrated herein, reference is made to the application of the firing assembly to an over and under shotgun. However, it is evident to the person skilled in the art that the trigger assembly according to the present invention can be applied to firearms of a different type.

With reference to a firearm with two over and under barrels, the casing 2 is applied within a break action 101 of a rifle 100 by insertion in a lower gap of the break action 101.

The casing 2 is retained in its seat in the break action by means of a safety engagement device, generally designated by the reference numeral 3, which is mounted in the casing and can be actuated by means of an actuation button 4.

The trigger assembly 1 includes two firing pins, respectively an upper firing pin 5 and a lower firing pin 50, which are actuated by a single trigger 6, by means of a selector device, generally designated by the reference numeral 7.

The trigger assembly 1 also comprises a system for the actuation of the safety catch of the firearm, designated by the reference numeral 8, with an optional automatic engagement system, designated by the referenced numeral 10, which acts during the opening of the firearm.

The assembly 1 also includes an optional secondary safety catch system, designated by the reference numeral 11, which prevents the actuation of the firing pins 5 and 50 during the opening of the firearm.

The two firing pins 5 and 50 operate by direct percussion, without the aid of hammers or cocks.

The firing pin actuation system includes the trigger 6, which is constituted by an adjustable finger grip 61, which is associated with a trigger body 62 pivoted in a pivot 63, which is integral with the body 2.

The trigger body 62 oscillates in contrast with a spring 64 which has a rear end part 65.

The rear end part 65 engages an oscillating member 12, which is constituted by a fork 121 joined to a cam 122.

The cam 122 is constituted by three functional portions: a central tooth 123 and two lateral inclined planes 124 and 125.

The central tooth 123 is adapted to engage alternately the rear end 131 of a lower trigger lever 13 or the rear and 141 of an upper trigger lever 14.

The terms “lower” and “upper”, related to the trigger levers 13 and 14, do not refer to their mutual position but refer to their relation to the respective firing pins. The trigger levers 13 and 14 are in fact arranged side by side and are pivoted in a common pivot 15.

The common pivot 15 supports a helical spring 16 having free ends that act on the trigger levers and bias the trigger levers into an engagement position with respective firing pin trigger levers 17 and 18.

The lower trigger lever 13 acts on a lower firing pin trigger lever 17, while the upper trigger lever 14 acts on an upper firing pin trigger lever 18.

The lower trigger lever 17 has an end part 171 which engages a tooth 501 of the lower firing pin 50.

The upper trigger lever 18 has an end part 181 which engages a tooth 51 of the upper firing pin 5.

The lower firing pin 50 has a coaxial actuation spring 502, which acts in contrast with a lower firing pin support 19 and with a lower abutment 503 of the firing pin.

The upper firing pin 5 has a coaxial actuation spring 52, which acts in contrast with an upper firing pin support 20 and with an upper abutment 53 of the firing pin.

The abutments 53 and 503 of the firing pins also function as a support for a re-cocking plate 21, which is arranged in front of the firing pins and on which a cocking lever 22 acts.

The cocking lever 22 is associated with a locking member 23 on which a handle 24 acts which actuates the opening of the barrels.

The locking member 23 is constituted by a vertical cylinder and includes a pair of holes, respectively a lower hole 231, for the passage of the lower firing pin 50, and an upper hole 232, for the passage of the upper firing pin 5, when the firearm is in the position in which the barrels are closed.

The trigger assembly according to the present invention includes a trigger selector device which is constituted by a rod 25 which has a lower end inserted in the fork 121 of the oscillating member 12 and an upper end associated with a button 26. The button 26 can move transversely in a slider 27, which in turn can move longitudinally in a block 28 which is associated with the upper part of the body 2.

The button 26 allows to make the lower end of the rod 25 oscillate so as to shift the fork 121, and therefore the oscillating member 12, to the right or to the left with respect to the central position, making the central tooth 123 match up alternately respectively with the rear end 131 of the lower trigger lever 13, or the rear end 141 of the upper trigger lever 14.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are views of the selector device in the triggering position of the lower firing pin 50. As can be seen in FIG. 4, in this position the central tooth 123 rests against the upper end 131 of the lower trigger lever 13.

The slider 27 constitutes the member for actuating the firearm safety catch and can slide with respect to the block 28 on the body 2 between two positions: a firing position and a safety catch engaged position.

The slider 27 is associated with an angled tab 29, with in the safety catch engaged position interferes with the rear ends of the trigger levers 13 and 14, preventing their movement, as can be seen in FIG. 5.

In the firing position, which corresponds to the slider in the forward position, visible in FIG. 6, the angled tab 29 leaves the rear ends of the trigger levers free to rise and therefore actuate the firing pins, as will be explained hereinafter.

A wire spring 30 interposed between the block 28 and the body 2 engages a pivot 31 of the angled tab 29 so as to render the forward and retracted positions of the slider stable.

The trigger assembly can optionally include an automatic safety engagement system which acts when the barrels are opened by rotating the handle 24.

The automatic safety catch engagement system is constituted by a safety catch actuation bar 32 which has a rear end, associated with the angled tab 29, and a free front end 321, on which a cam 241 acts.

The cam 241 is associated with the handle 24 and, when the handle is turned, the cam 241 pushes the bar 32, making it retract, consequently shifting backward the slider 27, which reaches the engaged safety catch position, visible in FIGS. 2 and 5.

The operation of the interchangeable firing assembly according to the present invention is as follows.

The casing 2, which contains the complete trigger assembly, can be inserted and extracted through the lower gap of the break action 101, simply by acting on the control button 4 of the safety engagement device 3.

In the operating position, inserted within the break action and stably locked by the engagement device 3, the trigger assembly is normally in the position in which the safety catch is engaged, visible in FIG. 5, in which the angled tab 29 interferes with the rear ends of the trigger levers 13 and 14, preventing their upward movement.

The safety catch is disengaged by making the slider 27 slide forward, as visible in FIG. 6, which illustrates the firearm in a position ready for firing with the selector arranged in the position for firing the lower barrel.

The selector is actuated by means of the button 26, which can be shifted to the right or to the left to select the barrel from which the first shot is to be fired. In FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, the selector is shown in the position for firing the first shot on the lower barrel.

The first shot is fired by acting on the trigger 6, which lifts, by means of the rear tab 65, the oscillating member 12, the central tooth 123 of which engages the rear end 131 of the lower trigger lever 13 (as visible in FIG. 4).

The lower trigger lever 13 acts on the lower firing pin trigger lever 17, lowering its end part 171, which disengages the tooth 501 of the lower firing pin 50.

The lower firing pin 50 snaps forward, due to the spring 502, and causes firing.

The above cited sequence is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, while FIG. 9 is a view of the lower firing pin 50 which has been triggered and of the stroke limit of the trigger 6.

FIG. 10 is a view of the engagement position for the second shot. In this position, the selector is in the position for firing on the upper barrel, since the oscillating member 12 has engaged on the upper trigger lever (with reference to FIG. 3) upon release of the trigger after firing the first shot, virtue of the presence of the lateral inclined plane 125, which has interacted with the rear end 141 of the upper trigger lever 14.

In the position for engagement of the second shot, the inclined plane 125, visible in FIG. 4, engages the rear end 141 of the upper trigger lever 14, when the trigger 6 is actuated again, as can be seen in the firing sequence shown in FIGS. 11-13.

The firing sequence of the second shot is similar to the sequence of the first shot, except that of course it uses the mechanism of the upper firing pin, which is constituted by the upper trigger lever 14, by the upper firing pin trigger lever 18 and by the upper firing pin 5.

FIG. 14 is a view of the assembly in the condition in which both firing pins have been triggered, before their re-cocking.

The re-cocking steps are shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. The re-cocking of the firing pins is performed automatically by opening the firearm by rotating the handle 24.

By acting on the handle 24, the cocking lever 22 associated therewith is rotated. The cocking lever 22 acts on the re-cocking plate 21, which is arranged in front of the firing pins, pushing them backward, with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, until the teeth 51 and 501 have engaged the tabs 181 and 171 respectively.

FIG. 15 is a view of the first step of the re-cocking of the firing pins by partial rotation of the handle, while FIG. 16 is a view of the handle fully rotated and of re-cocking completed.

If the system for automatic safety catch engagement is present, the safety catch is engaged automatically when the handle 24 is rotated, opening the barrels, as described above.

FIGS. 17-23 illustrate an interchangeable trigger assembly, according to a further aspect of the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1001.

The interchangeable trigger assembly 1001 comprises a containment structure which is constituted preferably by a casing 1002 which can be inserted in the body of the firearm.

The trigger assembly 1001 includes two firing pins, respectively an upper firing pin 1005 and a lower firing pin 1050, which are actuated by a single trigger 1006, by means of a selector device, generally designated by the reference numeral 1007.

The trigger assembly 1001 also comprises a system for the actuation of the safety catch of the firearm, designated by the reference numeral 1008, with an optional automatic engagement system, designated by the referenced numeral 1010, which acts during the opening of the firearm.

The assembly 1001 also includes an optional secondary safety catch system, designated by the reference numeral 1011, which prevents the actuation of the firing pins 1005 and 1050 during the opening of the firearm.

The two firing pins 1005 and 1050 operate by direct percussion, without the aid of hammers or cocks.

The single trigger 1006 operates both firing pins 1005 and 1050 through the selector 1007 which is preferably a inertial selector.

The inertial selector 1007 alternatively operates a lower firing pin trigger lever 17 and an upper firing pin trigger lever 1018.

The lower trigger lever 1017 engages a tooth 1501 of the lower firing pin 1050.

The upper trigger lever 1018 engages a tooth 1051 of the upper firing pin 1005.

The lower firing pin 1050 has a coaxial actuation spring 1502, which acts in contrast with a lower firing pin support 1019 and with a lower abutment 1503 of the lower firing pin 1050.

The upper firing pin 1005 has a coaxial actuation spring 1052, which acts in contrast with an upper firing pin support 1020 and with an upper abutment 1053 of the upper firing pin 1005.

The abutments 1053 and 1503 of the firing pins also function as a support for a re-cocking plate 1021, which is arranged in front of the firing pins and has a lug 1013. A cocking lever 1022 acts on the lug 1013 of the re-cocking plate 1021.

The cocking lever 1022 is associated with a locking member 1023 operated by a handle 1024 which actuates the opening of the barrels.

The locking member 1023 is constituted by a vertical cylinder and includes a pair of holes, respectively a lower hole 1231, for the passage of the lower firing pin 1050, and an upper hole 1232, for the passage of the upper firing pin 1005, when the firearm is in the position in which the barrels are closed.

According to this embodiment of the invention, the firing pins 1005 and 1050 have a flexible structure that allow for a play between the axis of each firing pin and the axis of the holes of the locking member 1023 and of the breach lock 1100 of the firearm.

The upper firing pin 1005 is constituted by a shank 1054, on which the coaxial actuation spring 1052 is mounted, and having the upper abutment 1053, at one end, and the tooth 1051, at the other end.

The upper abutment 1053 is hinged to an upper pin member 1055 through an upper hinge 1056.

The lower firing pin 1050 is constituted by a shank 1504, on which the coaxial actuation spring 1502 is mounted, and having the lower abutment 1503, at one end, and the tooth 1501, at the other end.

The lower abutment 1503 is hinged to a lower pin member 1505 through a lower hinge 1506.

The trigger assembly according to the present invention has a button 1026 which operates the trigger selector 1007 through a rod 1025 which has a lower end inserted in an oscillating member of the trigger selector.

The button 1026 is mounted on a slider 1027 which constitutes the member for actuating the firearm safety catch and can slide with respect to a block 1028 on the body 1002 between two positions: a firing position and a safety catch engaged position.

The slider 1027 is associated with an angled tab 1029, which, in the safety catch engaged position, interferes with the operation of the trigger mechanisms.

A wire spring 1030 interposed between the block 1028 and the body 1002 engages a pivot 1031 of the angled tab 1029 so as to render the forward and retracted positions of the slider stable.

The trigger assembly can optionally include an automatic safety engagement system which acts when the barrels are opened by rotating the handle 1024.

The automatic safety catch engagement system is constituted by a safety catch actuation bar 1032 which has a rear end, associated with the angled tab 1029, and a free front end 1321, on which a cam 1241 acts.

The cam 1241 is associated with the handle 1024 and, when the handle is turned, the cam 1241 pushes the bar 0132, making it retract, consequently shifting backward the slider 1027, which reaches the engaged safety catch position.

The trigger assembly 1001 comprises a trigger disconnector 1070, visible in FIGS. 19 and 20.

According to this embodiment of the invention, the trigger assembly 1011 may be extracted from the casing 1002 also in the firing position.

Also, according to this aspect of the invention, the re-cocking plate 1021 actuates the opening of the barrel assembly 1110.

When the barrel assembly is in the open position, the handle 1024 is locked in the open position by means of a handle lock means 1080, constituted by a bar biased by a spring and interfering with a cam member associated with the handle.

In practice it has been found that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects, providing a trigger assembly which is fully interchangeable and encloses various operating systems, including the firing pin trigger system, the firearm safety catch actuation system, with optional device for automatic engagement during firearm opening, the system for the engagement and disengagement of the casing that contains the entire assembly.

The trigger assembly according to the present invention is constituted by a casing which contains all the operating elements described above.

This application claims the priority of Italian Patent Application No. MI2011A001183, filed on Jun. 29, 2011, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference. 

1. An interchangeable trigger assembly for firearms, including a containment structure which can be inserted in the firearm body through an opening, wherein said containment structure comprises one or more triggers, one or more firing pins, an actuation mechanism for said one or more firing pins, a firearm safety system, and a means for temporarily locking said containment structure inside said firearm body.
 2. The trigger assembly according to claim 1, further comprising at least two firing pins and a selector device adapted to select the first shot to be fired by means of a first firing pin; said selector device comprising an external control which can be actuated by the user; said selector device and said external control being contained in said containment structure.
 3. The trigger assembly according to claim 1, configured for application to a single- or multi-barreled rifle.
 4. The trigger assembly according to claim 3, further comprising a secondary safety catch adapted to prevent the operation of said firing pins when a handle is open.
 5. The trigger assembly according to claim 3, further comprising a device for the automatic actuation of said firearm safety system, which is activated when a system for cocking the firing pins is actuated.
 6. The trigger assembly according to claim 1, further comprising two firing pins, an upper firing pin and a lower firing pin respectively, which are actuated by a single trigger by means of a selector device; a system for actuating said firing pins, which comprises said trigger, which is constituted by a finger grip associated with a trigger body pivoted on a pivot which is integral with said casing; said trigger body oscillates in contrast with a spring and has a rear end part; said rear end part engages an oscillating member which is constituted by a fork which is joined to a cam adapted to actuate alternately a mechanism for actuating said lower firing pin or a mechanism for actuating said upper firing pin.
 7. The trigger assembly according to claim 6, wherein said cam is constituted by three functional portions: a central tooth and two lateral inclined planes; said central tooth is adapted to alternately engage a rear end of a lower trigger lever or a rear end of an upper trigger lever.
 8. The trigger assembly according to claim 7, wherein said trigger levers are laterally adjacent and pivoted to a common pivot; said common pivot supports a helical spring, the free ends of which act on said trigger levers in order to push them into a position for engagement with respective firing pin levers; said lower trigger lever acts on a lower firing pin trigger lever; said upper trigger lever acts on an upper firing pin trigger lever; said lower trigger lever has an end part which engages a tooth of said lower firing pin; said upper trigger lever has an end part which engages a tooth of said upper firing pin; said lower firing pin comprises a coaxial actuation spring which acts in contrast with a lower firing pin support and with a lower abutment of said lower firing pin; said upper firing pin has a coaxial actuation spring which acts in contrast with an upper firing pin support and with an upper abutment of said upper firing pin.
 9. The trigger assembly according to claim 8, further comprising a re-cocking plate which is arranged in front of said firing pins and acts by resting against said abutments of said firing pins; a cocking lever, acting on said re-cocking plate, is associated with a locking member, on which a handle acts which controls the opening of said firearm; said locking member is constituted by a vertical cylinder and comprises a pair of holes, respectively a lower hole, for the passage of said lower firing pin, and an upper hole, for the passage of said upper firing pin, when the firearm is in the closed position.
 10. The trigger assembly according to claim 8, further comprising a trigger selector device constituted by a rod; said rod has a lower end inserted in said fork of said oscillating member and an upper end which is associated with a button; said button is transversely movable in a slider; said slider is movable longitudinally in a block associated with an upper part of said containment structure; said button allows to make the lower end of said rod oscillate so as to move said fork and therefore said oscillating member to the right or to the left with respect to a central position, thus alternatively matching up said central tooth respectively with said rear end part of said lower trigger lever or with said rear end part of said upper trigger lever.
 11. The trigger assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that said firearm safety catch comprises a slider which can slide, with respect to a small block associated with said casing, between two positions: a firing position and a position in which the safety catch is engaged, said slider is associated with an angled end part; in a position in which the safety catch is engaged, said angled end part interferes with said rear end parts of said trigger levers, preventing their movement; in a firing position, which corresponds to said slider in the advanced position, said angled end part allows said rear end parts of said trigger levers to lift and thus operate said firing pins; a wire spring, which is interposed between said small block and said casing, engages a pivot of said angled end part so that the advanced position and the retracted position of said spider are rendered stable.
 12. The trigger assembly according to claim 11, further comprising a device for the automatic actuation of said firearm safety system, which is activated when a system for cocking the firing pins is actuated, wherein said automatic device for the actuation of said firearm safety catch comprises a safety catch control bar which has a rear end part associated with said angled end part and a free front end part on which a cam acts; said cam is associated with said handle and, when said handle is rotated, said cam pushes said bar, thus causing it to retract and accordingly moving backward said slider, which is thus moved to the safety catch engaged position.
 13. The trigger assembly according to claim 1, wherein said firing pin has a flexible structure.
 14. The trigger assembly according to claim 1, wherein said firing pin comprises a shank having a coaxial actuation spring; said shank comprising an abutment, at one end, and a tooth, at the other end; said abutment being hinged to a pin member.
 15. The trigger assembly according to claim 9, wherein said re-cocking plate actuates the opening of a barrel assembly hinged to said firearm body. 